ZoomerMedia has completed its acquisition of all outstanding shares of Museland Media Inc., publisher of Ludwig Van, Canada’s digital voice for classical, opera, chamber and choral music headlines, reviews, and feature interviews.
The media company says the acquisition connects ZoomerMedia to a wider audience of arts enthusiasts of all ages, who have been all but abandoned by mainstream newspapers and broadcasters. With an audience of 65,000 monthly readers and 100+ partner arts organizations, ZoomerMedia said Ludwig Van is the ideal online complement to its The New Classical FM radio stations, which ZoomerMedia founder, president & CEO Moses Znaimer first acquired in 2006.
“I have a history of supporting the idea of specialty television; which is to say channels devoted to specific subject matter ranging from local news (CP24) to Rock and Pop (MuchMusic) to Bravo!, Canada’s NewStyleArtsChannel, which was a most beautiful Performing Arts Channel until its original mandate and style were abandoned by new owners,” said Znaimer, in a company announcement. “Similarly, the acquisition of Ludwig Van represents the further expansion of the Zoomer Digital Network from location-oriented outlets like blogTO and Daily Hive into subject specific content. In Ludwig Van, we see a Toronto and Montreal-based website extending coverage, nationally and internationally, and beyond classical music and opera, to theatre, dance, and other performing arts.”
Znaimer said with a history of presenting live to air concerts from Zoomer Hall, Ludwig Van will also offer concert events and music videos.
“Even as everyone else is cutting back on coverage of the Arts, we intend to step up ours,” asserted Znaimer.
Founded by former Toronto Star music critic Michael Vincent in 2017, who had a mission to keep arts coverage alive, Vincent says joining ZoomerMedia will allow Ludwig Van to take that calling to the next level with new podcasts and original features.
“Moses is not just an exceptional media pioneer, but a kindred spirit who resonates with our commitment to classical music, opera, and the arts,” said Vincent. “ZoomerMedia’s resources, coupled with Moses’ ground-breaking innovations in media, will enable us to transcend the ordinary and ascend to new heights in our mission. This alliance will empower us to create unparalleled arts media content, setting a new benchmark in Canada. The anticipation of what we are poised to achieve together is truly extraordinary, and I can’t wait to get started.”
The aggregate purchase price of $1.1 million is comprised of $700,000 cash on closing, and a $400,000 vendor note at 5% interest annually, principal repayable in three years.
This latest acquisition follows the additions of blogTO, Daily Hive, and just last week – finance news brand, The Peak – to ZoomerMedia’s roster of digital publications.
Subscribe Now – Free!
Broadcast Dialogue has been required reading in the Canadian broadcast media for 30 years. When you subscribe, you join a community of connected professionals from media and broadcast related sectors from across the country.
The Weekly Briefing from Broadcast Dialogue is delivered exclusively to subscribers by email every Thursday. It’s your link to critical industry news, timely people moves, and excellent career advancement opportunities.
Let’s get started right now.
